The search for body parts in a field south of Cheyenne is finished, the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday.
A construction worker discovered human remains Monday while mowing a field north of Terry Road. The finding prompted a two-day search in which 50 officials searched in “grid” squares so they wouldn’t miss anything.
“We have wrapped (the search) up,” Laramie County Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Veldheer told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday. “I think, towards the end of the day Tuesday.”
Veldheer said searchers collected "all that we could find" of the body, and the remains are now in the custody of the Laramie County Coroner’s Office, which is coordinating with a forensic anthropologist to identify the body.
The chief deputy said he doesn’t have a timeline for how long identification could take.
“We’re going to patiently wait for them (the coroner and forensic anthropologist),” he said.
Other details like the decedent's age, sex and how long the remains had been in that field also won't be revealed until the death investigation is underway or complete, said Veldheer.
Such evidence as dental records, healed bone breaks from injuries the person sustained while living, and other clues will factor into that process, he said.
Identifying the body isn’t necessarily the first step in the sheriff’s office’s investigation, but it’s a prerequisite for most of the case’s progress.
No cause of death appears obvious at this point, said Veldheer, adding he doesn’t know whether the person died in that field or was moved there.
Veldheer said he’s not aware of the mower running over the body or any part of it, though it’s difficult to tell with parts having been scattered by weather and/or wildlife ahead of the discovery.
As far as the mower could tell, he or she spotted a body part before the mower reached that section and realized it was a human remain, Veldheer related.
Veldheer said his office appreciates the help of the many searchers. He also thanked the community for its understanding, noting that this may be a lengthy investigation.
"But our goal is to find closure for this individual and their family," said Veldheer.
Laramie County Coroner Rebecca Reid did not immediately respond to a Thursday voicemail request for comment.
Missing Persons Cases
Until an identification can be made, if one can be made, there’s no information about whether the discovery could be linked to any open Cheyenne missing persons cases.
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation had nine missing persons cases listed for Laramie County as of Monday afternoon.
The longest-running case is for Melanie Ehman, who went missing July 24, 2015 at the age of 58. She was last known to be driving a white dually truck with Florida plates. The truck was also pulling a white fifth-wheel camper with Florida plates, says the DCI database.
Other missing persons include:
• Silas Anthony Ojeda, who vanished at the age of 1 on Oct. 23, 2016, and is believed to be the victim of foul play.
• Joseph Nathaniel Paredes, who vanished Aug. 25, 2023, at the age of 30, the database says.
• James Eric Beckett, who went missing around March 1, 2024, at the age of 48. He was reported missing Aug. 15.
• Shanna Janene Brubaker, 38, who is listed as missing after her last sighting on April 29.
• Roy Arthur Moates, 59, who was last seen May 18.
• Larry Kimball, 56, who was last seen May 19.
• Robert Alan Schuler, 59, who was last seen Sept. 9.
• Alyssa Jaylee Paull, 20, who was last seen Sept. 22.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
